Visalam – CGH Earth hotel, Chettinad

Visalam CGH is a beautiful property to stay, stayed 2 nights with a group of travellers and was a memorable one. My room was a heritage room with poster bed and balcony, very spacious and very clean and tidy. This particular room has the bed on a height and a small stool is required to step on to the bed, so before booking plz check with reception if you are a senior citizen, have small kids or knee problem. Food was delicious but not sure due to Navrati the dishes we less. My favorite was the filter coffee at the coffee cart, the girl was very attentive to our order and served everyone the perfect drink. Evening walk is a must, as Mr. Shiva has many interesting stories to tell. We girl had an amazing time around the mansion. Cooking classes was very educational and loved the dish made, we all got to try it in the end. Amazing professional staff and will surely visit again. Only downfall was the spa, Massage was not up to the mark for the price.

The hotel itself is beautiful- a typical Chettinad home. The staff was very helpful and efficient. The breakfast is healthy and delicious and served in a beautiful quiet open air patio. I have to commend Shiva who was outstanding- he was the best guide, an amazing organiser, his friendly manner and attention to our smallest need- made all the difference to our experience . He truly elevated our experience and satisfaction

Didn't expect this gem off the beaten path. We booked this hotel because we found a great price but what we got in return was exceptional service. Being the only guest at the hotel we thought we'd get the mediocre treatment with bare minimum. But we were pleasantly surprised by hospitality and the great food quality. Even though it was a set menu the food was incredibly delicious and on time. |The rooms are very spacious with an enclose bed and even more spacious ensuite. We opted for a room close to the pool and restaurant since we planned to hang around the pool most of the time. |Special mention to Shiva their leisure coordinator for arranging the tours to the near by locations and in house activities.

Our two-night stay at Visalam was a wholesome getaway. It felt tranquil, authentic and a world apart. Though brief, it left my mother and me with memories to last a lifetime. The spacious rooms, furnished with taste and the heritage architecture were a delight. The staff, most of whom are from the region, were warm, genuine and attentive. From the front desk and GM to the restaurant, kitchen, pool, and housekeeping teams, everyone welcomed us with smiles and warm hospitality. I highly recommend the Glimpses of Chettinad tour and the early morning cycling tour with Siva, a knowledgeable and friendly staff member from the village. There is much to explore in and around Kanadukathan and it was helpful to take the guided tour. The food at Visalam was excellent - creative, beautifully presented, and a great way to discover Chettinad cuisine. The chefs were thoughtful in tailoring the dishes to our vegetarian, non-spicy palate. Chefs Kavin and Vivekananda even shared recipe tips with us, which was a lovely touch. I also appreciate the efforts that CGH Earth takes in genuinely crafting environmentally and socially conscious experiences. Overall, this was a wonderful experience. We hope to return! 🙂

A five star experience all around. We stayed there as part of a larger trip that involved many hotels across India, and this was the best. The rooms were beautiful and comfortable, the activities provided by the hotel were great (our group especially enjoyed the bullock cart and bike rides), and the staff was helpful and friendly.

Our stay at Visalam Chettinad was truly outstanding and unlike any other luxury hotel experience we’ve had so far. The entire visit felt deeply rooted in Chettinad’s rich culture, cuisine, and charm, which we thoroughly enjoyed.||We were welcomed with a traditional Chettinad greeting that instantly set the tone for what turned out to be one of the most memorable stays we’ve ever had. Sowndarya at the reception, with her warm smile, made us feel at home right away. One of her colleagues then took us on a lovely tour of the property, sharing stories about the history and heritage of this grand Chettinad home. The moment we saw our room—with its charming old-world details and that unique key—we felt like we had stepped back in time into a grand Chettinad residence..||Dinner that night was magical. Set outdoors under the open sky, with soft lights and a gentle breeze, it felt like we were dining in a bygone era. The food was exceptional—every bite steeped in Chettinad flavors—and Suganya and her team made the experience even more special with their grace and attentiveness. Breakfast the next morning was equally delightful, offering us another chance to indulge in the region’s rich cuisine.||We also had lunch by the pool before heading out on a city tour arranged by Mr. Shiva, who was incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we had to cut the tour short as our son wasn’t feeling well due to the heat. Mr. Shiva’s kindness stood out—he even went to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine for our son. We will always be grateful to him for his thoughtfulness and care.||We also loved the little touches throughout our stay—like the cooking demonstration in their kitchen and the charming morning and evening tea cart, which was run with such care and attention to detail.||The entire property exudes serenity, making it the perfect place to slow down and soak in the beauty of Chettinad.||A couple of small notes for fellow travelers: some rooms facing the main entrance can get a little noisy because of passing buses, so light sleepers might prefer rooms towards the back. Also, since the property is boutique-sized, meal orders for lunch and dinner need to be placed 2–3 hours in advance—so it helps to plan ahead.||But these are minor things compared to the overall experience. Visalam is not just a hotel; it’s a journey into Chettinad’s heart and soul. We left with full hearts and beautiful memories.

A very welcoming hotel with wonderful staff who couldn’t be more helpful. The hotel was in great condition and very clean. Lovely food. We enjoyed the pool and really liked the early morning bike ride with Shiva. Shiva also provided a lot of local information and suggestions for trips which was very useful.

Amazing old structure totally renovated in every minute details, just at the entrance of town thus at walking distance from everything. Food was amazing with local delicacies prepared with tasty fresh ingredients, very easy to digest. Rooms are big and very comfortable. Staff is extremely nice and helpful, always with a big smile.